Does it matter which core course I take sophomore year?

[Sortie]

I took Gen Chem 1&2 last year. I received an A and B respectively in each course (My university doesn't assign letter grades like A- or C+). However, I was wondering if dental schools would frown upon me putting off Orgo until junior year, as I'd rather take physics and biology this year. What do you guys think? Should I take Orgo, or does the order of classes not matter, as long as you take them? Thank you. If a similar thread has already been created, please just post the link to it. Couldn't find a similar thread myself.

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[dentite24]

O-chem is on the DAT. Definitely should follow suit with the high majority of other students and take it this year... you should be averaging 3 hard classes per semester (and 15-17 credit hours) to be keeping up with everyone else and showing that you are taking hard curriculum.
For instance, my 'hard' classes my sophomore year were:
Fall- ochem 1, physics 1, genetics
Spring- ochem 2, physics 2, cell bio

 

[Frank Kennedy]

Take Orgo I and II now so you can take the DAT over the summer between Sophomore and Junior year. Gonna be too hectic trying to take DAT and get application in early if you wait.

 

[Sortie]

Alright, thank you for the input everyone. I thought it through some more keeping in mind your advice and I'm definitely taking orgo next semester, along with either physics or biology.

 

[DennisRubalcava]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[FeralisExtremum]

I'd go with biology with orgo next semester. Ideally a freshman should do bio and chem during the first year, then orgo and physics during the second year so they can take the DAT after their sophomore year ends. If you push any of the courses you need for the DAT until your junior year, you'll be at a disadvantage both in terms of timing (you'll likely have to take the DAT during your junior summer which is when you should already be applying) and knowledge (if you take the DAT earlier than junior summer, you won't have been exposed to all of orgo yet and you'll have to learn a lot on your own).

 

[babytomato]

Remember that dental schools pay closer attention to GPA than course load. Taking 2 difficult classes per semester is fine. You can take 3 hard classes if you can manage to maintain a good GPA, but I think getting a good GPA and DAT score is better than taking an extra hard class and getting a lower GPA.

 

[I-hate-alginate]

Remember that dental schools pay closer attention to GPA than course load. Taking 2 difficult classes per semester is fine. You can take 3 hard classes if you can manage to maintain a good GPA, but I think getting a good GPA and DAT score is better than taking an extra hard class and getting a lower GPA.

I feel every student who is interested in dentistry must take at least 3 "difficult" classes every trimester, just to get a feel for dental school.

 

[fit2]

what are examples of hard classes? haha
Honestly i think the number of credits is more important. for me if i was only in sicence classes life would be extremely easy. I struggle way more with core at my school. and some business classes were like harder to get an A in IMO

 

[I-hate-alginate]

what are examples of hard classes? haha
Honestly i think the number of credits is more important. for me if i was only in sicence classes life would be extremely easy. I struggle way more with core at my school. and some business classes were like harder to get an A in IMO

Anatomy is definitely harder than any philosophy class out there. I remember my sophomore year, I took organic, philosophy, humanities, psychology, and english. 17 credits... but was very easy. Now if I had biochem, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, histology. Then this semester will definitely be harder. If you get As in this semester, then you are a gunner, don't even argue.

 

[fit2]

Anatomy is definitely harder than any philosophy class out there. I remember my sophomore year, I took organic, philosophy, humanities, psychology, and english. 17 credits... but was very easy. Now if I had biochem, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, histology. Then this semester will definitely be harder. If you get As in this semester, then you are a gunner, don't even argue.

Anatomy was the easiest science course I ever took haha...lab was a little tricky. but that's probably because of they way I retain info/facts. i took philosophy at CC because I am double majoring but if I had to take philosophy at my school I would never get an A...ever. just because the religion and philosophy department at my school is extremely difficult.
That sophomore semester sounds like hell to me haha. too much writing and abstract thinking courses. now the other semester full of science doesn't sound easy either...especially when I think of all the labs you'll have. I guess it's a good point that science classes make it look harder...but I would take that science semester anytime over the other one.
It might just be me but the core classes at my college are really difficult to score well in. I think some of those professors are just overachievers.

 

[I-hate-alginate]

Anatomy was the easiest science course I ever took haha...lab was a little tricky. but that's probably because of they way I retain info/facts. i took philosophy at CC because I am double majoring but if I had to take philosophy at my school I would never get an A...ever. just because the religion and philosophy department at my school is extremely difficult.
That sophomore semester sounds like hell to me haha. too much writing and abstract thinking courses. now the other semester full of science doesn't sound easy either...especially when I think of all the labs you'll have. I guess it's a good point that science classes make it look harder...but I would take that science semester anytime over the other one.
It might just be me but the core classes at my college are really difficult to score well in. I think some of those professors are just overachievers.

It depends on the professor too. I knew one anatomy professor who bragged about how one time half of the class dropped because of how hard the subject/he were. Teachers play a huge role, they can make anatomy an easy A or hell on earth.

 

[fit2]

It depends on the professor too. I knew one anatomy professor who bragged about how one time half of the class dropped because of how hard the subject/he were. Teachers play a huge role, they can make anatomy an easy A or hell on earth.

true that! our professor was picky but he also was amazing at organizing and explaining. Probably some of the best planning I've seen!

 

[I-hate-alginate]

true that! our professor was picky but he also was amazing at organizing and explaining. Probably some of the best planning I've seen!

Yes! If you are a good teacher, you can make the exam as hard as you want, but if you are poor at teaching, then there is no reason for the exam to be hard... just my opinion lol

 

[fit2]

Yes! If you are a good teacher, you can make the exam as hard as you want, but if you are poor at teaching, then there is no reason for the exam to be hard... just my opinion lol

a lot of times bad professor will make harder exams...or maybe it's a loop and the exams seem harder because they're bad haha.

 

[I-hate-alginate]

My organic teacher, best teacher to ever walk on this planet. Got A in both courses and 30 on the ochem section.... physiology teacher on the other hand, one of the worst teachers ever. In class, she only went over the charts that were in the book and exams were something... it felt like she was asking about nuclear reactors and their political influence in the world then in physiology lol. It was awful. Questions were random and anything but relevant. Now I won't hate on her because she gave me a LoR

 

[fit2]

My organic teacher, best teacher to ever walk on this planet. Got A in both courses and 30 on the ochem section.... physiology teacher on the other hand, one of the worst teachers ever. In class, she only went over the charts that were in the book and exams were something... it felt like she was asking about nuclear reactors and their political influence in the world then in physiology lol. It was awful. Questions were random and anything but relevant. Now I won't hate on her because she gave me a LoR

yeah dude first semester ochem, the professor was the most organized and clear professor I ever had and probably ever will. second semester was different but the professors were fun. the only score I was "unhappy" about on DAT was ochem cause i was 100% sure I got everything right and ochem is definitely my hard point (I like to think)